Ulsan Hyundai, a dominant force in professional soccer’s K League 1, has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Korean Football Association (FA) Cup after narrowly edging out second-place Jeonnam Dragons.
Ulsan won 2-1 after extra time in their 2023 FA Cup Fourth Round (Round of 16) away match at Gwangyang Football Stadium today (April 24).안전놀이터
Riding high on a six-game winning streak in K League One and dreaming of a “double” in the FA Cup, Ulsan advanced to the quarterfinals of the competition after coming from behind to beat Jeonnam, the 10th-ranked team in K League Two, in 2017, their only FA Cup victory in six years.
Ulsan also avenged their loss to Jeonnam in the 2021 FA Cup semifinals.
However, Jeonnam, who had become the first K League 2 team to win the FA Cup in 2021, increasing their tally to four, were unable to overcome Ulsan’s barrier this time around.
Right from the start of the match, Jeonnam faced a change of scenery as their starting goalkeeper, Kim Da-sol, was unable to play due to injury and was replaced by Choi Bong-jin.
Despite rotating in preparation for the weekend’s league matches, Ulsan, which featured Martin Adam, Rubikson, Yoon Il-Rok, Kim Tae-Hwan, Jung Seung-Hyun, and Choi Hyun-Woo, actively pushed for the goal but were denied by Choi Bong-Jin, who got an unexpected chance.
Vojanic’s mid-range shot from a strong free kick in the 26th minute and Jung Seung-hyun’s header from a corner kick situation a minute later both failed to beat Choi Bong-jin.
In the 30th minute, Jeonnam had a golden scoring opportunity with Hanam’s header following a cross from the left flank, but Cho Hyun-woo made a good save.
Ulsan brought on Kim Min-hyuk for Boyanic to start the second half, and Jeonnam went all-out in the fifth minute of the second half with Valdivia Card.
The Jeonnam team celebrates Hanam’s goal
Jeonnam struck first with a goal in the 18th minute of the second half that was set up by Valdivia.
Valdivia sent in a precise cross from the right flank, and Hanam rose high in the center of the penalty area to head the ball into the right corner of the goal where Cho Hyun-woo was unable to reach.
Ulsan sent on Bako in the 22nd minute and Lee In-jong-gyu in the 32nd minute to push forward, but they were unable to find the back of the net until late in stoppage time.
Jung Seung-hyun’s cross was headed in by Martin Adam, and Im Jong-yeon slotted home a loose ball from the mix-up to draw level.
Ulsan finally turned the game on its head two minutes into extra time when Martin-Adam headed home a cross sent in by Bako after a sweeping run down the right flank, and they held on for the win.
Last year’s FA Cup winners Jeonbuk Hyundai won 5-2 in extra time against Paju Min Football Club of the K3 League, the only semi-pro team in the round of 16.
After struggling early in the season in the K1, Jeonbuk, who are unbeaten in their last four matches under acting coach Kim Doo-hyun, continued their quest for a second straight FA Cup.
Jeonbuk’s Gustavo opened the scoring in the 30th minute of the first half, and the team went on to score four goals in the last 10 minutes of extra time to take the win.
Paju Minsan Football Club held on to a 2-2 tie at halftime to send the match into extra time, but conceded three goals in the extra period to fall short.
There were no upsets at other venues where teams from the top two divisions clashed.
Gangwon FC defeated K League 2 leaders Gimpo FC 3-2 to reach the quarterfinals for the second time since 2021 (quarterfinals).
With the score tied at 2-2 going into second-half stoppage time, Gangwon’s Gallego slotted home Lee Jung-hyeop’s pass with a powerful right-footed shot for the winner.
Gimpo’s surge, which had beaten first-place FC Seoul on penalties in the third round, came to a halt.
Pohang Steelers swept aside Seongnam FC 3-0.
Pohang’s Lee Ho-jae scored multiple goals in the first 29 minutes and 15 minutes of the second half against a team led by his father, Lee Ki-hyung.
Incheon United also took pride of place in the first division with a 3-0 win over Gyeongnam FC, while Gwangju FC defeated Seoul Eland 1-0.
Suwon Kim Joo-chan
In a clash of K League 1 teams at Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon Samsung advanced to the FA Cup quarterfinals for the eighth consecutive year with a 1-0 victory over Daegu FC.
In the 26th minute, a penetrating pass from Kim Bo-Kyung on the right side of the penalty area was met by striker Kim Joo-Chan, who calmly slotted it home with his right foot for the winning goal.
Kim, who was born in 2004 and joined Suwon this year, gave his team the win with his professional debut goal.
Jeju United defeated Daejeon Hana Citizens 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller.
An own goal by Daejeon’s Min Jun-young in the 29th minute was the difference.
The FA Cup quarterfinals will be held on June 28 and will feature Ulsan-Jeju, Jeonbuk-Gwangju, Incheon-Suwon, and Pohang-Gangwon.